This beloved new-grass quartet from Fort Collins, Colo. wasn't named "Best of Colorado" at the Westword Music Showcase in Denver for no reason. With a style they call "modern acoustic," the band plays a soundtrack of nature-infused imagery with rolling green hills, shimmering lakes, rustic cabins, the shining sun and smiling faces -- a land where the strums make the rhythm, harmonies run rampant, the mandolin gives the tunes body, basslines are spot-on and the fiddle rounds out that hillside ambiance. This Tuesday night progressive bluegrass lovers from all over Humboldt County should head from the hills to see Head for the Hills at HumBrews.

What: Väsen

When: 8 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Arcata Playhouse, 1251 Ninth St.

Admission: $22 general, $12 (25 and under), $8 (12 and under)

Touring in support of their new album "Mindset," Swedish world-folk band Väsen will perform on Wednesday night at the Arcata Playhouse along with Tristan and Tashina Clarridge. The trio from Uppsala were recently honored with 2013's World Music Torchbearer Award, part of About.com's Readers' Choice Awards. Fiddle champions Tristan and Tashina Clarridge -- who are brother and sister -- are from right here in Humboldt County. Advance passes are available at brownpapertickets.com.

What: Stephan Jacobs, Gladkill

When: 9:30 p.m. Friday

Where: Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St.

Admission: $15 in advance, 21+

LA dubstep dude Stephan Jacobs will perform on Friday night at the Arcata Theatre Lounge fresh after taking the stage at Coachella. The second-to-last time he was in town he played with Pretty Lights in Blue Lake. LA future-bass fanatic Gladkill will open along with Sugarpill and Chris B. Advance passes for the 21-plus show are available online at worldfamousparty.com.

What: Play Dead

When: 9:30 p.m. Friday

Where: Humboldt Brews, 856 10th St., Arcata

Admission: $8, 21+

Local band Play Dead will perform tunes by The Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia on Friday night at HumBrews. When fans leave they'll be "Dancin' in the Streets."

What: American Beauty: The Grateful Dead Concert Experience

When: 8 p.m. Saturday

Where: Arkley Center for the Performing Arts, 412 G St., Eureka

Admission: $40

Want another 'Dead show? There's "One More Saturday Night" -- the Arkley Center in Eureka will host American Beauty: The Grateful Dead Concert Experience. "Through this live stage presentation of their most memorable recordings and concert favorites, members of the Grateful Dead Revisited will transport you back to those tie-dyed days when love was free and 'The Dead's' music was the center of the rock 'n' roll universe," according to the Arkley Center.

What: Tribute to James Brown

When: 9 p.m. Saturday

Where: Jambalaya, 915 H St., Arcata

Humboldt's got a brand new bag and it'll make you feel good. Featuring members of the funk band Bump Foundation, local musicians will take on a tribute to James Brown on Saturday night at the Jambalaya in Arcata.

What: Petty Theft (Tom Petty tribute)

When: 9:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Humboldt Brews, 856 10th St., Arcata

Admission: $10 in advance, 21+

It won't be a last dance in the merry vein, but San Francisco's Petty Theft will cover the legendary Tom Petty at HumBrews all night Saturday. "Since the band's inception in 2003, Petty Theft has been entertaining audiences all over the greater Bay Area and beyond in clubs, at private parties and on large festival stages with an electrifying live show," according to the band's Facebook page. "No matter where they play, it's a guaranteed sing along. Audiences everywhere know these classic radio hits and when performed by Petty Theft, it sounds like you are hearing the real deal!"

What: Candye Kane

When: 8 p.m. Saturday

Where: Riverwood Inn, Phillipsville

Admission: $10, all ages

Bluesy and jazzy LA singer-songwriter Candye Kane will take her tunes back to the Riverwood Inn on Saturday night. It'll be fun to check out the gal who's befriended and shared the stage with bands like Black Flag, Social Distortion and The Circle Jerks.

What: Giraffe Aftermath, Burnt, Elephant Dub Brigade

When: 8 p.m. Monday

Where: Jambalaya

Vancouver reggae-hip-hop trio Giraffe Aftermath and California reggae-soul group Burnt will take their West Coast tour to the Jam on Monday. Arcata reggae trio Elephant Dub Brigade will open.